Friends ready pond hockey tourney in memory of Hollis teen

BROOKLINE — A hockey tournament to raise money for a Hollis teen killed in an car accident last month has become bigger than anyone involved could have expected, said the boy's father.

Cameron "Cam" Ricard, 17, a senior at Hollis Brookline High School, was killed when he lost control of his 2009 Nissan Titan on the Exit 1 on-ramp to the F.E. Everett Turnpike in Nashua on Dec. 9.

The tournament will raise money for a memorial scholarship fund in his name and will begin at 9 a.m. Sunday at the Brookline Ball Fields.

Cam's father, Robert Ricard, said that shortly after his son's death, the family established a scholarship fund in his name, and when Cameron's friends came up with the idea of creating a pond hockey tournament to raise money for the fund, the family was completely on board.

"Cam had a passion for hockey and his friends and classmates took it upon themselves to put on this tournament," said Ricard. "But it's grown well beyond what any of these kids who initiated it ever realized."

Organizer Josh Powers said he and Brian Thibodeau wanted to celebrate Cam's memory while raising money for the scholarship fund.

"Our main goal is to make this scholarship huge while enjoying a fun day of hockey," he said.

Powers and Thibodeau expected that around 50 people would sign up for the 3-on-3 tournament but as of Friday, more than 300 people have registered.

"They're turning people away at this point," said Ricard. "It tells us that Cam knew a lot of people, was well connected, but most importantly, that he was well-liked."

In addition to the games, a number of items will be raffled off including signed sports memorabilia from the likes of David Ortiz, Brad Marchand and Ted Williams. Food and drink, donated to the event by businesses in Hollis and Brookline will also be for sale.

Ricard said the holiday season has been incredibly difficult for the family.

"It's been a tough three weeks for us. We're still in a state of shock," he said. "We're trying to deal with the accident while trying to put our lives back together."

But seeing Cam's friends rally to remember his son and to support his legacy through the scholarship fund has been good for the family, Ricard said.

"It's a great feeling," said Ricard. "I can't put into words how thrilled we are about the community support we've gotten."

The first game of the tournament will feature Cam's teammates. Ricard will be there to drop the puck.

"It's going to be a fun day to celebrate my son," said Ricard.

For more information visit http://www.wherevent.com/detail/Joshua-Powers-The-Cam-Ricard-Memorial-Pond-Hockey-Tournament.